Mount Clemens parents frustrated over school cuts

Parents of students in Mount Clemens Community Schools attending the first of several public forums expressed frustration over discipline issues, teacher layoffs and program reductions.

Several parents attending Tuesday night’s forum, which focused on the district’s financial problems, said budget cuts have whittled away at quality academic courses, extracurricular activities and the teaching staff, while increasing class size and behavioral issues.

“We are not offering our students anything,” one woman said. “The only thing we have for them are the teachers and now they’re leaving too when they’re being laid off.”

Others talked about educators being unable to focus on teaching when they have to deal with classrooms bulging with 40 or more students. They said some students walk around with their “pants halfway down to their ankles” and use abusive language.

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“It’s really become a scary thing — a sad thing and it breaks my heart,” a parent said.

About 50 parents, students, teachers, union officials and others attended Tuesday’s forum, where they received a crash course on how the district accumulated a $4.7 million budget deficit and could face a state takeover if significant progress is not made by June.

Four teachers were laid off as part of the deficit reduction program and more are expected to be let go next year as the district is projecting a loss of 60 more students.

Superintendent Debra Wahlstrom, who was hired by the school board over the summer, said she understands the parents’ concerns. She said the forums are designed for parents to help school officials plan for improvements to the 1,500-student district.

In terms of discipline challenges, the superintendent said the number of students coming from struggling families plays a role. She said Mount Clemens is no longer accepting “problem kids.”

“I am willing to step up to the plate and make unpopular decisions if that’s what we need to do,” she said.

Wahlstrom said she hopes the district can get a handle on the financial challenges this year and steadily begin to improve academics in the years to come, which will attract new families.

Still, the school board recently ordered the administration to make $200,000 in monthly cuts to reach a goal of $1.8 million in reductions this year. So far, the superintendent said she has come up with $90,000 in proposed reductions for the January target.

School officials also hope to sell the Alexander Macomb building — three parties have expressed interest in purchasing it — along with leasing out the empty third floor of Mount Clemens High School and the former administration wing of the building.

Mount Clemens will host a community garage sale in the spring to sell surplus desks, equipment and supplies as part of the downsizing process.

The next forum will be held Thursday, Feb. 7 and the topic will be communications, including website redesign, text messages and more. The forums begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Administrative Work Center inside of Mount Clemens High School, 155 Cass Ave.